The storefront theatre the Balabans operated prior to the Circle was called the Kedzie. It was in the same neighborhood. Everyone wanted the land parcel where the Circle was constructed at the time. But the Balabans managed to form a friendship with a judge who was involved with the situation, and won the day. Having no experience with construction, they thought that the project would be completed quickly. However, it was nine months between leaving the Kedzie and opening the Circle. Track down a copy of the book “Continuous Preformances” to read the full story of the Circle. It is interesting reading.

Not sure why. But that neighborhood kept the circle name. After the University of Illinois moved out it’s Navy Pier campus. (When it was called U of I, Navy Pier) it moved to the west side and was called the University of Illinois, Circle campus well into the late 80s (sometimes called Chicago Circle). I’ve only noticed that in the last 10 years they call it just plain ol' Univeristy of Illinois, Chicago.